52 Fundamental Stories of the Bible 

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1 Creation (Genesis 1:1–2:3)
Summary: God creates and blesses the heavens and the earth, the creatures, the plant life, the people. God is the owner and true King of the universe.

Main Points:
• The Triune God—Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit—participate in the
creation.
• The six days of creation, followed by a seventh day of rest.
• God creates humans in his own image and gives them rule over all the earth (1:26–28).

See also Psalm 90:2; Hebrews 1:2.
2 Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:7–8, 15–25)

Summary: God creates the first man,
animal life, and the first woman.
Humans are stewards of the creation.
Main Points:
• God creates Adam from the dust of
the ground, and places him in the
Garden of Eden (2:7–8).
• God forbids him to eat from the fruit
of the tree of knowledge of good and
evil (2:15–17).
• God creates Eve from one of Adam’s
ribs; Eve is a suitable helper for Adam
(2:18–25).

See also Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:22–29.

3 Human Rebellion (Genesis 3–11)
Summary: Not satisfied with their role
in creation, humans fall into the
temptation of wanting to be like gods.
Their rebellion has cosmic
consequences: Sin and death enter the
world. A history of curse opposes God’s
blessing on his creation.
Main Points:
• The serpent tempts Eve by
questioning God’s word, love, and
provision (3:1–5).
• Eve eats the fruit, as does Adam (3:6).
• God expels them from the garden and
curses the serpent and the ground
(3:18–19).
• Sin creates brokenness between
humans and God, humans and nature,
and humans with each other.
• The following stories, Cain and Abel,
the Flood, and the Tower of Babel
illustrate the consequences of sin in
creation (4:1–11:9)
See also Romans 5:12-21; Hebrews 3:15.

4 The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–9)

Summary: God begins a new history of
blessing by calling Abram out of his
country and family. God promises a new
people and new possibilities.
Main Points:
• God calls Abram out of Ur to go to
another land (12:1).
• God promises Abram to make of him
a great nation and to bless him (12:2).
• God makes a covenant with Abram to
give him a son and a land (15:1–21)
• God reaffirms his covenant with
Abraham. Circumcision is the sign of
the covenant (17:1–27).
See also Deuteronomy 26:5; Romans 4.

5 Abraham's Faith (Genesis 22:1–18)
Summary: After keeping his promise of
blessing Abraham and Sarah with a son
in their old age, God tests Abraham.
Main Points:
• God instructs Abraham to offer Isaac,
his only son, as a sacrifice (22:2);
Abraham acts in obedience (22:6).
• When Isaac sees no animal sacrifice,
he asks his father about it (22:7).
• Abraham tells Isaac that God will
provide the sacrifice (22:8).
• As Abraham prepares to sacrifice
Isaac, the angel of the Lord stops him
(22:11–12).
• The Lord provides a ram to be the
sacrifice and confirms his covenant
with Abraham (22:13–18).
See also Hebrews 11:17–19; Romans 8:32.

6 Joseph in Canaan (Genesis 37–47)
Summary: The story of Joseph
illustrates the promise God made to
Abraham. Through Joseph, and in spite
of the suffering and troubles, God
blesses all the nations of the earth.

• Joseph was the favorite son of Israel
(Jacob) (37:3).
• Joseph shares two prophetic dreams
with his family in which he rules over
them (37:5–11).
• Joseph’s brothers conspire to kill him,
but settle for selling him into slavery
(37:12–28).
• While in slavery in Egypt, God blesses
Joseph even in the midst of suffering
and injustice (39–40).
• Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams;
he becomes the second in command
in Egypt (41).
• Joseph confronts his brothers. His
brothers, especially Judah, experience
a transformation (42–45).
• Jacob, Joseph’s father, goes to Egypt
with all of his family (46).
• God reaffirms his promises to Jacob
as he had done with Abraham
(46:3–4).
See also Genesis 41:39–43; Genesis 45:8.

7 The Call of Moses (Exodus 1–6)
Summary: God
calls Moses to
lead Israel out of
Egypt. Israel spent
over 400 years in
Egypt. Moses is to
lead God’s people
through the
wilderness into the
Promised Land.
Main Points:
• After Joseph’s
death, a new Pharaoh enslaved Israel’s
children (1:1–22).
• God speaks to Moses from a bush
that burns but does not burn up
(3:3–4).
• God identifies himself as the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3:6).
• God tells Moses that he has selected
him to tell Pharaoh to release the
people (3:9–10).
• God tells Moses that his name is
“I AM” (3:13–14).

• God tells Moses that Pharaoh will not
comply and God will have to strike
Egypt (3:19–20).
See also Psalm 90; Hebrews 3:1–6.

8 The Plagues on Egypt and the Passover
(Exodus 7:15–12:51)
Summary: Pharaoh refuses to release
the people of Israel. God shows that he
is the only God by sending ten plagues.
God provides a way for the plague of
the death of the firstborn to “pass over”
the people of Israel.
Main Points:
• God strikes Egypt with ten plagues.
• God instructs the people to:
• Sacrifice a lamb (12:3–6) and place its
blood on the sides and tops of their
doorframes (12:7).
• Eat the lamb that night with bitter
herbs and bread without yeast (12:8).
• Eat it quickly, while fully clothed
(12:11), and burn away any that
remained by morning (12:10).
• Continue this activity annually as a
memorial (12:14).
See also Amos 4:10; 1 Corinthians 5:7–8.

9 Crossing the Red Sea
(Exodus 13:17–14:31)
Summary: God shows his power over
creation and power to save. He opens
the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to
escape from the Egyptian army. People
are safe in God’s hands.
Main Points:
• God’s presence is with Israel as a pillar
of cloud during the day and a pillar of
fire at night (13:21–22).
• Pharaoh regrets letting the Jews go; he
pursues them with his army (14:5–7).
• The pillar of cloud moves between the
Egyptians and the Israelites (14:19–20).
• The Israelites move safely through the
parted waters, but the Egyptian army
is destroyed (14:21–29).
See also Joshua 3:14–17; 2 Kings 2:8–14;
1 Corinthians 10:1–2.

10 The Ten Commandments

(Exodus 19:3–9; 20:1–26)
Summary: God provides the
commandments as the way for people
to live in a covenant relationship with
him. The commandments make it
possible for a sinful people to live with a
holy, powerful God in their midst.
Main Points:
• Moses brings the Ten Commandments
to the people of Israel.
• The first four commandments deal
with our relationship with God.
• The last six deal with our relationships
with each other.
See also Galatians 3:24; Luke 24:44.

11 The Tabernacle (Exodus 40)

Summary: God’s relationship with his
people has two parts: the Ten
Commandments and God’s own
presence. The tabernacle, a movable
tent, represents God’s desire to dwell
among his people.
Main Points:
• God wants to dwell with his people
(Ex. 29:44–46).
• The tabernacle has three sections: the
Courtyard (40:6–8), the Holy Place
(40:4–5), and the Most Holy Place
(40:3).
• Aaron and his sons are anointed as
priests to serve in the tabernacle
(40:13–15).
• God is pleased with the tabernacle
and his glory fills it (40:34).
See also Exodus 28:4–42; Hebrews 2:17.

12 The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6)
Summary: God brings the children of
Israel to the land he had promised to
Abraham. God instructs the people of
Israel how to defeat the walled city of
Jericho. God is faithful to his promise.
Main Points:
• Before sharing his plan, God assures
Joshua of victory (6:2).
• Seven priests with trumpets and
carrying the ark of the covenant lead
the Israelites to march around the city
once a day for six days (6:3, 12–14).

• On the seventh day, they circle the
city seven times ending with the
sounding of the trumpets and a shout
from the people (6:4–5, 15–20).
• The walls fall on the seventh day, and
the city is defeated (6:21–22).
• Joshua ensures the safety of Rahab
and her family, as was promised to her
earlier for protecting the Israelites
(23–35).
• The book of Joshua tells how the
children of Israel enter the land God
had promised to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob.
See also Matthew 1:5; 1 Kings 16:34.

13 Samson and Delilah (Judges 16)
Summary: The
story of Samson
illustrates how
the tribes of
Israel fail to be
faithful to God.
This story shows
God’s great
patience and
grace toward his
people.
Main Points:
• The period of
the Judges
shows the
tribes of Israel following a pattern
consisting of disobedience,
oppression, crying out to God, and
deliverance.
• God grants Samson great strength;
Samson must consecrate himself to
God. The sign or mark of the
agreement is Samson’s long hair.
• The Philistines want to kill Samson
(16:2–3). Delilah discovers Samson’s
secret; she then cuts Samson’s hair.
The Philistines capture him, blind him,
and put him in chains (16:19–21).
• While Samson is in bonds, he cries
out to God. As an act of grace and
compassion, God grants his strength
back. Samson destroys a Philistine
temple and all the people within it
(16:22–30).
See also Numbers 6:5; Hebrews 11:32.

14 The Anointing of King Saul
(1 Samuel 8:1–22; 9:1–2, 15–21; 10:24)
Summary: Israel rejects God’s rule by
requesting a king like all the nations
around them. God grants them their
request. He also gives them prophetic
warning against relying on kings instead
of God.

Main Points:
• The prophet Samuel and his sons are
the judges of Israel, but his sons are
evil (8:1–3).
• Samuel warns the people of the
hardships that come with a king, but
they insist (8:5–22).
• Saul has the physical characteristics
one would look for in a king (9:1–2).
• God leads Samuel to Saul, of the tribe
of Benjamin (9:15–21).
• Samuel anoints Saul as the first
(earthly) king of Israel (10:24).
See also Deut. 17:14–20; 1 Samuel 15:10–11.

15 The Anointing of King David
(1 Samuel 16)
Summary: When Saul dishonors God,
the Lord rejects Saul as the first king of
Israel. God chooses David to be king.
Main Points:
• God sends Samuel to anoint the next
king, one of the sons of Jesse in
Bethlehem (16:1–3).
• Samuel sees seven of Jesse’s sons but
God does not choose any of them
(16:5–10).
• God chooses people not by their
appearance or size but by their heart
(16:67).
• The Lord tells Samuel to anoint Jesse’s
youngest son, David, as king (16:11–12).
• David respects Saul and does not
immediately take power. David plays
the harp to comfort Saul (16:14–23).
See also Matthew 1:6; 2 Samuel 5:3.

16 David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

Summary: The men of Israel fear
Goliath, a giant of the Philistines. Young
David confronts and defeats him. David
shows that victory is not achieved with
swords and skill; rather, God makes his
people victorious.
Main Points:
• Goliath stands nearly ten feet tall and
is well armed and clothed (17:4–7).
• Goliath mocks and challenges the
men of Israel for forty days (17:8–16).

• David hears Goliath’s challenge and
accepts (16:17–32).
• Saul tries to dissuade David because
of his youth, but David explains that
God will allow him to defeat the giant
(16:33–37).
• David drops Goliath with a sling and a
stone and beheads him with the
giant’s own sword (17:40–51).
See also Ephesians 6:10–17; Zechariah 4:6.

17 David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)
Summary: David commits a series of
terrible sins: coveting, adultery, abuse of
authority, and murder. Once the prophet
Nathan confronts him, David recognizes
and repents of his sins. God forgives
King David. However, God also punishes
him for his sins.
Main Points:
• Instead of being with his army, David
remains at Jerusalem (11:1).
• David sees Bathsheba bathing and
desires her. He finds out that she is
married to one of his soldiers, Uriah
(11:2–3).
• David commits adultery with her and
she conceives (11:4–5).
• David calls Uriah back to Jerusalem
hoping that he will believe the child is
his. But Uriah refuses pleasure while
his comrades are at war (11:6–13).
• David arranges for Uriah to be put in
an area of battle where he is killed
(11:14–26); after a period of mourning,
David marries Bathsheba (11:27).
• The prophet Nathan confronts David
with a clever story. David recognizes
and repents of his sins (12:1–12).
See also 2 Samuel 12:1–23; Psalm 51.

18 The Contest on Mount Carmel
(1 Kings 18:17–40)
Summary: Worshiping false gods is
rampant in Israel. Elijah challenges the
prophets of Baal, one of the false gods,
to a contest to prove the true God. Once
again, God gives victory to his servant.
Main Points:
• Elijah confronts King Ahab for
forsaking the ways of God. The
prophet proposes a challenge
(18:17–19).
• At Mount Carmel, Elijah proposes that
both groups prepare a bull to be
sacrificed. Each one will pray for fire
from heaven (18:25).
• The prophets of Baal try for hours to
get their god to respond, but nothing
happens (18:26–29).
• God is able to consume the bull and
the entire altar with fire from heaven,

Lord (18:30–39).
• The 400 prophets of Baal are killed
(18:40).
• The people recognize that “The Lord—
he is God!” (18:39).
See also 1 Kings 21:27–29; 22.

19 Elisha Heals Naaman’s Leprosy
(2 Kings 5:1–14)
Summary: God heals Naaman, a foreign
general of a rival kingdom. After much
doubt, Naaman obeys God and finds
healing. Naaman recognizes and
confesses that the Lord is the
true God.
Main Points:
• Naaman, a military leader in Syria and
an honorable man, suffers with
leprosy (5:1).
• A servant girl suggests that God’s
prophet Elisha can heal Naaman
(5:2–4).
• Elisha tells Naaman, through a
messenger, to wash himself in the
Jordan River seven times to be healed
(5:8–10).
• Naaman is upset that Elisha does not
come see him personally. His servants
convince him to follow the prophet’s
instructions.
• God heals him (5:11–14).
• Naaman confesses: “Now I know that
there is no God in all the world except
in Israel” (5:15).
See also 2 Kings 5:15–27; Luke 4:27.

20 Israel Sent to Captivity
(2 Kings 17:7–23; 2 Kings 25:1–30)
Summary: After years of Israel’s
rebellion and unfaithfulness, God
punishes the people by sending them
into exile. First, the Northern Kingdom
(Israel) is conquered, then the Southern
Kingdom (Judah). God, however, saves
a faithful group of people for himself.
Main Points:
• Because of Israel’s rebellion, God
allows the powerful kings of Assyria to
defeat and take the Northern
Kingdom, Israel, into exile
(2 Kings 17:7–23).
• The Southern Kingdom, Judah,
survives for another few generations.
Eventually, Judah's rebellion causes
its fall.
• God allows the powerful king of
Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, to conquer
Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the
temple, and send Judah into exile
(2 Kings 25:1–30).

• However, God preserves a remnant of
his people and promises to save and
gather them (Isaiah 11:11;
Jeremiah 23:3).
See also Deuteronomy 28:49–68; 32:1–47.

 

21 Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of
Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1–2:10)
Summary: God graciously allows many
of his people in exile to return to
Jerusalem. Nehemiah, a high-ranking
Jewish official in Persia, oversees the
rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
Main Points:
• Nehemiah learns that the walls
protecting Jerusalem are broken down
(1:1–3). He prays to God with
repentance for his people and for the
chance to oversee the rebuilding of
the wall (1:4–11).
• The king inquires about Nehemiah’s
obvious sadness (2:1–2). Nehemiah
explains his desire to rebuild the walls
and asks for the king’s blessings
(2:3–7).
• The king sends Nehemiah with orders
to support his work, but the people of
the area opposed Nehemiah (2:8–10).
• Despite the problems, Nehemiah and
the people finish and dedicate the
walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47).
See also Nehemiah 4:1; 13:31.

22 The Suffering Servant Prophecy
(Isaiah 53)
Summary: Isaiah prophesies about the
suffering Servant who would suffer on
behalf of God’s people. The prophecy
anticipates the coming of the Messiah,
Jesus, who comes to save the world.
Main Points:
• Because of Christ’s humility, many
people will not believe he is the
Messiah (53:1–2).
• Christ will endure much sorrow and
rejection (53:3–4).
• Christ willingly pays the penalty for
our sins to provide a way of
reconciliation (53:5–8).
• God is pleased to send his Son to
allow humanity a way of salvation
(53:9–12).
See also Luke 13:34; Acts 8:26–32.

23 Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1–14)
Summary: God uses a vision of dry
bones brought back to life as a message
of hope for Israel. God promises divine
intervention to revive his people.

Main Points:
• God shows Ezekiel a vision of a valley
full of dry bones (37:1–3).
• When Ezekiel tells the bones to hear
the word of God, God restores life to
them (37:4–6).
• The bones come back together;
tendons, flesh and skin are added, but
they still have no breath (37:7–8).
• God tells Ezekiel to tell the wind to
breathe into the men and they come
to life (37:9–10).
• God intends to deliver his people from
captivity and restore them (37:11–14).

See also Genesis 1:7; Acts 2:2.

24 The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)

Summary: Three young Jewish men in
Babylon refuse to bow to the Babylonian
king’s golden image. They are
condemned to die in a fiery furnace.
God miraculously delivers them.
Main Points:
• King Nebuchadnezzar has a statue
erected and demands that the people
worship it (3:1–6).
• Three Jewish men, Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, refuse to
worship (3:7–12).
• Enraged, the king gives them one last
chance to bow but they refuse,
trusting God (3:13–18)
• Despite heating the furnace seven
times hotter than normal, the king is
astonished to see the men are

unharmed and there is a fourth person
walking in the fire (3:19–27).
• King Nebuchadnezzar confesses:
“Praise be to the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego...” and
promotes the men (3:24–30).
See also Daniel 1:1–7; 4:34.

25 Jonah and the Great Fish (Jonah 1–3)
Summary: When Jonah refuses to
follow God’s instructions, God uses a
great fish to convince Jonah to obey and
preach repentance to Nineveh.
Main Points:
• God calls Jonah to preach in Nineveh,
but Jonah refuses and flees by ship
(1:1–3).
• The Lord sends a fierce storm and the
terrified crew members throw Jonah
overboard at his request (1:4–16).
• The Lord sends a great fish to swallow
Jonah and he spends three days and
nights in its belly (1:17).
• Jonah cries out to God and the fish
expels him onto dry land (2:1–10).
• Jonah reluctantly preaches to Nineveh
and the whole city repents (3:1–10).
See also Jonah 4; Matthew 12:40.

26 Preparing the Way (Luke 1:1–25)
Summary:
An angel
announces the
birth of John the
Baptist. His birth
is a sign that
God is about to
do wonderful
things in history.
Main Points:
• Zechariah, a
priest, and his
wife Elizabeth
are faithful
followers of
God’s commandments (1:5–7).
• An angel promises to Zechariah the
birth of his son, John (1:8–13).
• The Holy Spirit will lead the child to
prepare the way for the Messiah
(1:14–17).
• Because of Zechariah’s unbelief, the
angel makes him unable to speak until
the child is born (1:18–20).
• John the Baptist is God’s fulfillment of
his 400-year-old promises
(Malachi 3:1).
See also Luke 7:28; Matthew 14:1-12.

27 The Annunciation (Luke 1:26–56)
Summary: An angel
announces to Mary,
a virgin engaged to
Joseph, that God
has chosen her to
conceive Jesus
miraculously.
Main Points:
• The angel Gabriel
tells Mary that
God has chosen
her to carry the
baby Jesus, God
in human form
(1:26–33).
• Mary is puzzled
since she had
never been with a
man (1:34).
• Gabriel makes it clear that it is a
divine miracle (1:35–38).
• Mary praises God for the great
blessing, acknowledges her
unworthiness, and recognizes the
child as the Savior of the world
(1:46–56).
See also Luke 3:23–38; 2 Samuel 7:16.

28 The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–20)
Summary: As promised in the Old
Testament, God sends his Son, the
Messiah, to be born. Jesus is the
Messiah God promised. He has come to
give life, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Main Points:
• Caesar Augustus requires all people
under Roman rule to return to their
home city for a census (2:1–3).
• Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem,
their native city (2:4).
• Mary gives birth to Jesus in humble
surroundings (2:5–7).
• Angels appear to shepherds,
announcing the birth of the Savior and
praising God (2:8–14).
• The shepherds immediately go to the
child. They spread the news of the
wonderful things they have seen and
heard (2:15–20).
See also Micah 5:2; Daniel 9:25.

29 The Child Jesus (Luke 2:21–52)
Summary: Even in Jesus’ early years,
those who love God recognize Jesus as
the Savior.
Main Points:
• Mary and Joseph obey the angel and
name the child Jesus. In obedience,
they circumcise Jesus (2:21–24).

• Simeon and Anna give testimony that
Jesus is the promised Messiah
(2:25–38).
• Mary, Joseph, and Jesus return to
Jerusalem for the Passover feast when
Jesus is twelve years old. Jesus
astonishes the Jewish leaders with his
understanding (2:41–50).
• Jesus is obedient to Mary and Joseph
(2:51–52).
See also Leviticus 12:6–8; Philippians 2:5–8.

30 Jesus’ Baptism and Beginning of His
Ministry (Luke 3:21–4:15)
Summary:
At about thirty
years of age,
Jesus is baptized
and begins his
ministry.
Main Points:
• After John
baptizes Jesus,
the heavens
open, which
means that God
is about to do
something
special (see
Isaiah 64:1 and
Ezekiel 1:1).
• The Father and
the Holy Spirit are present at Jesus’
baptism. They reveal that Jesus is
God’s Son (3:22).
• As he did for Israel in the Old
Testament, God leads Jesus to the
wilderness. Israel was in the
wilderness in preparation for entering
the Promised Land; Jesus is in the
wilderness as preparation for his
ministry (4:1).
• Satan repeatedly tempts Jesus (4:2).
• Unlike Israel who sinned, Jesus
defeats Satan’s temptations remaining
sinless (4:3–15).
See also Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 9:1–2;
Matthew 3:13–4:11.

31 Jesus Turns Water into Wine
(John 2:1–12)
Summary: Jesus performs his first
public miracle, turning water into wine.
Main Points:
• Jesus, his disciples, and his mother
Mary are at a wedding in Cana of
Galilee (2:1–2).
• When the wedding party runs out of
wine, Mary tells Jesus (2:3–5).
• Jesus has the servants fill six jars with
water. The master of the banquet
tastes the wine (2:6–8).

St. John the Baptist Preaching
by Paolo Veronese

The Annunciation
by Edward Burne Jones

The Baptism of Christ
by Carl Heinrich Bloch

52 Key Bible Stories ● 45

© RW Research, Inc. www.rose-publishing.com May be reproduced for classroom use only, not for sale.
• The master of the banquet declares
this is the best wine served at the
wedding (2:9–10).
• This is the beginning of Jesus’ public
miracles (2:11–12).
See also Phil. 3:21 and Matt. 26:27–29.

32 Jesus Teaches Nicodemus (John 3:1–21)
Summary: Nicodemus, a Jewish leader,
comes to speak with Jesus privately.
Main Points:
• Nicodemus, a respected and educated
Jew, comes to see Jesus at night
(3:1–2).
• Jesus explains the need for a person
to be born again to see the kingdom of
God (3:3).
• Nicodemus thinks Jesus is talking
about a physical birth. However, Jesus
explains that it is a spiritual birth
(3:4–8).
• Jesus explains that God the Father
loves us so much that Jesus himself is
willing to die in our place to offer
salvation (3:9–15).
See also Numbers 21:5–9;
2 Corinthians 5:17.

33 Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)
Summary: Jesus demonstrates his
power over nature when calming a
storm at sea.
Main Points:
• Jesus and his disciples set out to cross
a large lake (4:35–36).
• As Jesus sleeps, a great storm arises
and the boat begins to fill with water
(4:37).
• Jesus commands the wind and the sea
to be still, and there is a great calm
(4:39).
• Jesus questions his disciples’ faith; the
disciples wonder about his power over
nature (4:40).
See also Mark 6:45–52; John 2:1–12.

34 Jesus Walks On the Water
(Matthew 14:22–36)
Summary:
While his
disciples are
caught on a ship
in a storm, Jesus
walks on the sea.
Main Points:
• Jesus sends
his disciples
across a large
lake so that he
can be alone
in prayer
(14:22–23).

• In the hours before dawn, high winds
and waves toss the ship (14:24).
• Jesus walks on the lake and comforts
the fearful disciples (14:24–27).
• Peter asks to walk on the lake, but
becomes fearful and begins to sink
(14:28–30).
• Jesus saves Peter and the wind ceases
as the disciples declare that Jesus
must be the Son of God (14:31–33).
See also Job 9:8; Luke 5:1–11.

35 The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1–13)
Summary: On a mountain, Jesus reveals
a glimpse of his glory.
Main Points:
• Jesus goes to the mountain with Peter,
James, and John (9:1–2).
• Jesus is transfigured (changed); Elijah
and Moses appear and talk with Jesus
(9:3–6).
• God the Father acknowledges his Son
with a voice from heaven (9:7).
• Jesus instructs his disciples not to
discuss this event until he is
resurrected (9:8–13).
See also Luke 9:31; Malachi 4:5–6.

36 Jesus Raises Lazarus (John 11:1–46)

Summary: Four days after Lazarus’
death, Jesus raises him.
Main Points:
• Jesus’ dear followers Mary and
Martha inform him that Lazarus is ill
(11:1–3).
• Jesus explains to his disciples that
Lazarus is dead. Jesus goes to raise
Lazarus (11:11–16).
• The grief of Mary and Martha, and the
hopelessness of the Jews, causes
Jesus to weep (11:17–35).
• In front of a crowd, at Jesus’
command, Lazarus comes out of his
tomb (11:36–46).
See also Isaiah 53:3; 61:1–2.

 

37 The Rich Young Ruler
(Matthew 19:16–30)
Summary: Jesus teaches a rich young
man about how to get eternal life and
the cost of discipleship.
Main Points:
• A young man asks Jesus how to have
eternal life; Jesus refers him to God’s
commandments (19:16–17).
• When the man affirms that he has
kept all the commandments, Jesus
tests his real commitment by asking
him to sell all that he has and give it to
the poor (19:20–21).
• The young man leaves unhappy and
Jesus teaches his disciples that we
must put God first to be truly his
disciples (19:22–30).
See also Ephesians 2:8–9;
2 Corinthians 8:1–3.

38 The Triumphant Entry (Luke 19:28–44)
Summary: On Jesus’ last public visit to
Jerusalem, the Jews welcome him as a
king.
Main Points:
• Jesus sends two disciples ahead to
retrieve a colt which he would ride
into the city (19:28–34).
• The people prepare a path for Jesus;
his many disciples praise God
(19:35–38).
• The Pharisees are upset and ask Jesus
to stop the crowd from praising him
(19:39).
• Jesus tells the Pharisees that if the
people do not praise him, the stones
would cry out (19:40).
• Jesus weeps over the city as he
foresees its spiritual blindness and
future destruction (19:41–44).
See also Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:25–26.

39 Important Questions (Mark 12:18–40)
Summary: Many that oppose Jesus try
to trap him with trick questions, but
Jesus uses every attack as an
opportunity to teach the truth.
Main Points:
• The Sadducees, who do not believe in
the resurrection, raise a complicated
question concerning husbands and
wives in heaven (12:18–23).
• Jesus tells them that in heaven we are
not given in marriage, but more
importantly, that the resurrection is
real (12:24–27).
• The scribes ask Jesus what is the
most important commandment. Jesus
replies to love God with your all heart

(12:28–34). Walking on Water
by Ivan Aivazovsky

The Raising of Lazarus
by Carl Heinrich Bloch

46 ● 52 Key Bible Stories

© RW Research, Inc. www.rose-publishing.com May be reproduced for classroom use only, not for sale.
• Jesus then points out errors in other
teachings of the scribes (12:35–37).
• Jesus warns his followers to beware of
false religious leaders (12:38–40).
See also John 5:28–29; Isaiah 53:3.

40 The Last Supper (Luke 22:7–20)
Summary:
Jesus
celebrates his
final Passover
with his
disciples and
teaches them
more fully
about his
sacrificial
death and its
spiritual
significance.
Main Points:
• Jesus sends
two of his disciples into the city to
prepare a room for the Passover meal
(22:7–13).
• Jesus reveals it will be his last supper
with them before his death (22:14–16).
• Jesus uses bread to symbolize how his
body will be broken on our behalf
(22:17–19).
• Jesus uses wine to symbolize how his
blood will be shed on our behalf
(22:20).
See also Exodus 12:1–28;
1 Corinthians 11:17–24.

41 The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
(Matthew 26:47–68)
Summary: Jesus is arrested and put on
trial by the Jewish religious leaders.
Main Points:
• While Jesus is praying in the garden of
Gethsemane, Judas arrives with the
Jewish leaders (26:47).
• Judas greets Jesus with a kiss to
signify he is the one to be arrested
(26:48–50).
• One disciple attempts to fight back,
but Jesus says that the Scriptures
must be fulfilled (26:51–56).
• Jesus is tried before the high priest
but no honest charge can be brought
against him (26:57–61).
• When the high priest questions Jesus,
Jesus declares that he himself is the
Son of God. The Jewish leaders spit on
him, strike him, and find him guilty of
blasphemy (26:62–68).
See also Psalm 41:9; Isaiah 50:6.

42 Peter Denies Jesus (Luke 22:31–34, 54–65)
Summary: Despite promises of loyalty,
Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.
Main Points:
• Jesus warns Peter that Satan seeks to
destroy him; but he is praying for
Peter to remain faithful (22:31–32).
• Peter declares that he would go to
prison and even die for Jesus (22:33).
• Jesus affirms that Peter will deny him
three times before the rooster crows
(22:34).
• After Jesus’ arrest, Peter follows the
crowd at a distance. When questioned
by others, Peter denies knowing Jesus
on three separate occasions
(22:54–60).
• At the third denial, Jesus turns and
looks at Peter, who leaves weeping
bitterly as the guards continue to
mock and strike Jesus (22:61–65).
See also John 17:9; 21:15–19.

43 The Trial of Jesus (Matthew 27:1–31)
Summary: Jesus is put on trial with the
Roman leaders.
Main Points:
• The Jewish leaders decide that Jesus
should die. They take him to the
Roman governor, Pontius Pilate
(27:1–2).
• Judas Iscariot regrets betraying
innocent Jesus, refuses the money he
was paid, and hangs himself
(27:3–10).
• Pilate questions Jesus and is
astonished that he does not defend
himself (27:11–14).
• Pilate allows the Jews to choose which
prisoner he will set free; the Jews
choose Barabbas and call for Jesus to
be crucified. Pilate releases Barabbas
(27:15–26).
• Pilate orders the crucifixion of Jesus
(27:26).
See also Isaiah 53:2–7.

44 The Crucifixion (Luke 23:26–49)

Summary: Jesus is put to death through
the cruel Roman method of crucifixion.
Main Points:
• After a night of beatings, Jesus is
weak; Simon from Cyrene is forced to
help carry Jesus’ cross (23:26).
• Jesus warns the people they will be
subject to persecution (23:27–31).
• Two criminals are crucified along with
Jesus, one on his left and another on
his right (23:32–33).
• The soldiers gamble for Jesus’ clothes
and the people mock him. Jesus asks
the Father to forgive the crowd
(23:34–38).
• One of the criminals continues to
mock Jesus but the other
acknowledges that Jesus is innocent,
unlike him and his friend. Jesus
comforts the criminal with God’s
forgiveness (23:39–43).
• From noon to three o’clock, there is
darkness over all the earth, the curtain
of the temple tears, and Jesus dies
(23:43–49).
See also Matthew 27:32–56;
Mark 15:21–47; John 19:17–37;
Isaiah 53:12.

45 The Burial of Christ
(Matthew 27:57–66)
Summary: After his death by crucifixion,
Jesus’ followers bury him in a borrowed
tomb.
Main Points:
• Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and
follower of Jesus, gets permission to
take Jesus’ body for burial (27:57–58).
• Joseph wraps Jesus’ body in burial
cloths and secures him in his own
tomb with a large stone at the opening
(27:59–60).
• Some of Jesus’ women followers
observe the burial from afar (27:61).
• The Jewish leaders ask Pilate to seal
the tomb. Pilate seals the stone and
guards the tomb (27:62–66).
See also Isaiah 53:9; Mark 15:43.

The Last Supper
by Carl Heinrich Bloch

Peter's Betrayal
by Carl Heinrich Bloch

The Crucifixion by Pieter Lastman

52 Key Bible Stories ● 47

46 The Resurrection (John 20:1–18)
Summary: As
he prophesied
and promised,
Jesus is raised
back to life on
the third day.
Main Points:
• Mary
Magdalene
goes to the
tomb the
day after
Jesus’ burial,
finds it empty, and runs to tell the
disciples (20:1–2).
• Peter and John run to the tomb, find it
empty, and return home puzzled
(20:3–10).
• Mary Magdalene sees two angels in
the tomb and expresses her concern
about Jesus’ body (20:11–13).
• Jesus appears to her, but she does not
realize it is the Lord until he speaks to
her (20:14–16).
• At Jesus’ command, she returns and
tells the disciples all she has seen and
heard (20:17–18).
See also Psalm 49:15; Matthew 28:1–10;
Mark 16:1–11; Luke 24:1–12.

47 The Appearances of Christ
(John 20:19–31)
Summary: After
his resurrection,
Jesus appears to
a number of
people on many
occasions.
Main Points:
• Jesus appears
to his disciples
who are in a
locked room
(20:19).
• Jesus shows them his hands and side;
the disciples believe and are glad
(20:20).
• Jesus commissions the disciples to
continue in the ministry (20:21–23).
• Thomas is not present and refuses to
believe until he sees Jesus and his
wounds (20:24–25).
• Jesus appears eight days later and
Thomas believes; Jesus blesses him
and those who have not seen but still
believe (20:26–31).
See also Mark 16:9–18; Luke 24:13–49;
Zechariah 12:10.

48 The Ascension (Luke 24:44–53)
Summary: After commissioning his
disciples to preach the gospel and make
disciples of all nations, Jesus ascends to
heaven.
Main Points:
• Jesus has fulfilled all the prophecies
about him and his ministry (24:44).
• Jesus enables the disciples to
understand the Scriptures (24:45).
• Jesus explains that his death and
resurrection were necessary for the
forgiveness of sin (24:46–48).
• Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit
to empower the disciples (24:49).
• Jesus physically ascends and the
disciples are filled with joy
(24:50–53).
See also Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:11.

49 Pentecost—Receiving the Holy Spirit
(Acts 2:1–13)

Summary: After Jesus’ ascension, the
disciples receive the Holy Spirit and
preach in every known language.
Main Points:
• The disciples are gathered to
celebrate Pentecost and pray (2:1).
• The sound of a great rushing wind fills
the house and the image of tongues of
fire touches each disciple (2:2–3).
• In the power of the Holy Spirit, the
disciples speak in different languages
(2:3–4).
• Most of the people are amazed, but
some mock the disciples (2:11–13).
See also Exodus 3:2; Acts 10:45.

50 Peter’s Sermon after Pentecost
(Acts 2:14–40)
Summary: After receiving the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost, Peter preaches boldly.

Main Points:
• The disciples are not drunk; it is the
fulfillment of prophecy (2:14–21).
• Jesus is proven to be the Son of God;
his death and resurrection were
prophesied (2:22–28).
• The Jews understand they rejected
the Messiah. They ask what they
should do (2:36–37).
• Peter tells them to repent, accept
Jesus as Christ, and be baptized
(2:38–40).
• God adds about 3,000 people to the
church that day (2:41).
See also Joel 2:28–32; Psalm 16:8–11.

51 Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1–22)
Summary: Saul, a Pharisee and
persecutor of Jesus’ early disciples,
believes after an encounter with the
risen Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Main Points:
• Saul is headed to persecute Christians
in Damascus (9:1–2).
• On the way to Damascus, Jesus
confronts Saul in a vision (9:3–5).
• Jesus tells Saul to wait in the city for a
sign. Saul waits for three days while
blinded (9:6–9).
• God has chosen Saul to preach
salvation to the Gentiles; Saul
believes, receives his sight and is
baptized (9:10–18).
• Saul begins to preach Christ in the
synagogues, and the people are
amazed because he used to persecute
them (9:19–22).
See also Acts 13:9; Philippians 3:1–14.

52 Revelation: The Climax of Prophecy
Summary: God reveals to John his plans
for the world in the last days. The
purpose of this revelation is to bring
comfort, assurance, encouragement,
and guidance to Christians.
Main Points:
• John receives this revelation while in
exile on the island of Patmos (1:9).
• God sends a message to seven
churches (1:9–3:22).
• God reveals his future plans for the
world in a series of visions (4:1–22:5).
• Christ is coming back and will judge
humanity (22:7).
• The powers of evil are doomed before
Christ (20:7–15).
• God promises a wonderful future for
all who believe in Jesus (21:1–22:6).
See also Matthew 24;
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.